Archive for ‘Learning To Say I Do’
Gus Exerts His Will
Over the past few weeks baby Gus’ personality has started to emerge. “I can’t prove it,” says Dad, “but my intuition has started to tell me that he knows when he is doing something he is not supposed to be doing.”
Summer Goals
A friend’s unexpected visit makes Justin and Sarah realize how much they enjoy–and need–outside company. Read how they decide to broaden their world.
When Life Gets Out of Control
Sara and Justin consider the question “Who will I trust to ensure my happiness?” Many people trust only themselves. But Sara says that since Gus’ birth, “God has really shown me in a million different ways that I am not in control.”
Finding Peace Amidst the Chaos
Runny noses, missed naps and a broken dishwasher have left Sara in need of an attitude adjustment. Read how she responds.
Giving Back to God
The diocese where Sara and Justin live has started a capital campaign. They discuss their possible participation and how this will affect their other charitable contributions.
Teething and Taxes
Sara writes that her life as a stay-at-home mom has become like the movie “Groundhog Dog,” as she follows the same routine over and over. Is that such a bad thing?
Following Francis
Justin reflects on the example offered by Pope Francis and his namesake, St. Francis of Assisi. He discusses how meeting Gus’s needs has helped to lessen his attachment to material goods.
Happy Easter!
To prepare for Easter, Sara decides to fast from radio, TV and the internet. Her experience leads to a permanent resolution regarding computer time.
So Big!
As Sara watches Gus grow, she is reminded of Mary’s role in Jesus’s life. While she doesn’t know what God has in store for Gus, she reflects that Jesus’s own suffering ended with Easter joy.
A Lesson From Pope Francis
Sara makes a surprising connection between the new Pope’s love for simplicity and–couponing! Read what she’s already learned from Pope Francis.
Happy Seven Months, Gus!
Sara reflects: “As we continue to ponder how best to best Gus in the faith, I realized perhaps the answer is simpler than we realize.” Read what she and Justin discovered.
Blest Are We
Sara’s visit to a homeless shelter prompts her to consider the many blessings she and Justin enjoy. She says: “In the coming weeks, Justin and I will continue to ponder how we are called to help the less fortunate and serve our Lord in this small way.”
Raising Gus in the Faith
Sara and Justin are experiencing a common dilemma of parents with small children: How to get something out of Mass while tending to a fussy baby. On Ash Wednesday, Sara realizes why it’s important to take Gus to Mass.
Lent
This Lent, Sara and Justin have decided to focus on two goals: eliminating distractions and taking time to recall God’s presence in their lives each day. Read how they’re going about it.
Seven Reasons Why I Love My Husband
As we celebrate National Marriage Week and Valentine’s Day, Sara offers some specific reasons why she loves her husband. Being married to Justin, she concludes, “has far surpassed my expectations.”
Becoming My Mother
As Sara settles into her new role as stay-at-home mom, she realizes that she’s picked up some of her mother’s characteristics–like pinching pennies.
Stay At Home Mom
Sara and Justin discuss Sara’s transition to staying at home with Gus. It’s both easier and harder than they imagined.
So Long to the Parish
Sara says good-bye to the parish where she’s been working. As she reflects on the “lasts,” she also looks forward to her new vocation as a stay-at-home mom.
Our Hopes–Part 2
Last week Sara reflected on what she hopes to gain by staying home with Gus. This week it’s Justin’s turn, and he sees a lot to look forward to.
Our Hopes
Recently Justin asked Sara: “What do you hope to gain by staying at home with Gus?” Sara has been pondering the question and offers three outcomes she’d like to see.
Are We There Yet?
Sara is not looking forward to a 10-hour drive to visit Justin’s parents. But she realizes the importance of giving both sets of grandparents the opportunity to get to know Gus.
Losing Patience
Justin has been experiencing one of the frustrations of a new parent – an inconsolable baby in the wee hours of the morning. Reflecting on this humbling experience, brings him to a new way of thinking while comforting Gus.
Discerning God’s Call
Sara writes, “Once upon a time, I thought that once Justin and I discerned we were called to marriage with each other, I thought our discerning days would be over. We may not exactly live “happily ever after” but our hard decisions would be behind us.”
Church of the Home
What does it mean to be the “domestic church”–the church of the home? Justin and Sara offer some practical ideas for the Advent and Christmas season.
Winning the Lottery
Each day Sara passes by the gas station where a $300 million lottery ticket was sold. She muses on what she and Justin could do with all that money, then reflects that they’ve already hit the lottery with Gus.
